Field Guide

Aquatic Invertebrates

Showing 71 - 80 of 92 results
Photograph of Ebonyshell freshwater mussel shell exterior view
Ebonyshell
Fusconaia ebena
At one time the most valuable shell to the commercial button industry, the ebonyshell is now classified as endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal endangered status.
Photograph of Purple Wartyback freshwater mussel shell exterior view
Purple Wartyback (Purple Pimpleback)
Cyclonaias tuberculata
Before buttons were made of plastic, they were made of shell. Because only white buttons were in demand, the coppery-purple shell of this species made it worthless for the button industry.
Photograph of Sheepnose freshwater mussel shell exterior view
Sheepnose (Bullhead)
Plethobasus cyphyus
The sheepnose has been classified as endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal endangered status.
elktoe
Elktoe
Alasmidonta marginata
The elktoe is one of many Missouri mussels with a declining population.
Photo of a dragonfly larva resting on a stone.
Dragonfly Larvae
Species in the suborder Anisoptera
Dragonfly larvae are aquatic insects with large eyes, six legs, and an oval or rounded segmented abdomen. The lower jaws are scooplike and cover much of the lower part of the head.
Hydras
Various species in the genus Hydra
We’ve all seen aquariums and pictures of tropical saltwater invertebrates such as corals, jellyfish and anemones—but did you know that there are similar creatures living in the freshwater habitats of Missouri?
Photo of a leech
Leeches
Various species in the subclass Hirudinea
Most people are repulsed by leeches. But once you get past the fact that many species are parasitic bloodsuckers, you will discover that they are fascinating creatures with an important role in nature.
Gray, speckled, translucent gelatinous blob cut in half to show structure
Bryozoans (Moss Animals)
Freshwater species in the phylum Bryozoa
Bryozoans are tiny, filter-feeding invertebrates. They create colonies that can be mossy, branching, or round and jellylike.
Photo of a predaceous diving beetle
Predaceous Diving Beetles (Water Tigers)
Species in the beetle family Dytiscidae
Like many aquatic insects, these large oval beetles prey voraciously on other aquatic organisms. Excellent swimmers, they fly well, too, and are often attracted to lights.
Photo of a collared water scavenger beetle showing back.
Water Scavenger Beetles
Beetles in the family Hydrophilidae
Water scavenger beetles are a mostly aquatic family. They are similar to predaceous diving beetles, but unlike them many have a distinctive spine running down the center of their bellies.
See Also

About Aquatic Invertebrates in Missouri

Missouri's streams, lakes, and other aquatic habitats hold thousands of kinds of invertebrates — worms, freshwater mussels, snails, crayfish, insects, and other animals without backbones. These creatures are vital links in the aquatic food chain, and their presence and numbers tell us a lot about water quality.